Experience authentic Wine Country on your retreat to the Northeast Georgia Mountains. There are plenty of things to do in North Georgia, from the growing number of vineyards and boutique wineries to the picturesque beauty of the Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys. In North Georgia, you will find many places to enjoy.

Nearby is the Alpine city of Helen, featuring many more activities, shops, and attractions. Things to do near Helen, GA include endless outdoor activities, festivals, vineyards and more. Outdoor adventures await you, from sparkling rivers and roaring waterfalls to evergreen forests and gorgeous blue mountains. Tube down the Chattahoochee River or zip line through the dense trees in the Northeast Georgia Mountains. Enjoy historic heritage museums and quaint shopping villages.

Get the most out of your wine country vacation when you spend it at Sylvan Valley Lodge. Contact us today to start making your much deserved getaway a reality. We’d love to have you join us for a taste of the North Georgia Wine Country way of life.

Explore these pages for more ideas and recommendations, and read about events and area activities in our Blog!

Village of Sautee

The Village of Sautee offers some of the best shopping, lodging, wine tasting and cuisine you’ll find. If you are looking for outdoor adventure, you’ll find that too in the form of hiking trails, fly fishing, horseback riding, zip-lining and other outdoor activities that may be enjoyed year around.

No trip to North Georgia Wine Country is complete without tasting some amazing wines, and ingesting a little of of the wine growing culture, as well. Explore lush vineyards and converse with local winemakers as you traverse what’s quickly becoming one of the country’s most prominent wine regions. You can set your own path, or book a wine tour through VIP Southern Tours.

Unicoi Wine Trail

Take a trip on the Unicoi Wine Trail to seven local wineries and their distinct tasting rooms. Enjoy a taste of some of the finest Georgia wines and experience North Georgia Wine Country by the glass.

Dahlonega Wine Trail designated the Dahlonega Plateau AVA offers six wineries in which to discover the classic varietals and blends now grown and bottled in the area. The climate and terrain of the Lumpkin County area make it a great place to grow European- and French-style wine grapes.

When you sit down at a table in one of our local restaurants, you’re sure to leave more than satisfied. Our location ensures access to a variety of dining options from Southern favorites to more modern, inventive wine tasting fare and everything in between to suit every palate. We included a few of our favorites to assist in your planning.

Mully's is one of our favorites because the food and service are consistently good. Mullys is in a picturesque farm house in the Historic Nacoochee Village about 2,5 miles from the lodge. They feature Southern and American fare that highlights the area, using local ingredients, like Nora Mill Grits, and fresh local trout. The woodfire grill adds a great flavor to steaks, and they have Live Music every Wednesday through Saturday evening. In addition, they have a full bar and a nice selection of local wines.

A local favorite taking history, hospitality and casual fine dining to a whole new level. Mother/Daughter team Bernie Yates and Chef Monda Dodge delight diners in this beautiful 1920's farmhouse in the Village of Sautee. Everything is made from scratch using fresh local ingredients as much as possible. The service is fantastic, and they have an on site mixologist and excellent wine list. Reservations recommended.

Located in Helen, Cowboy's & Angels offers American fare from Steaks to burgers, to seafood, and beyond. They offer weekly specials and always have live music on weekends in addition to great indoor and outdoor seating options and free parking. They also have a nice rotating selection of craft beers and a full bar with a nice wine list.

Bigg Daddy's in Helen has a large selection of draught beer that changes regularly. If you're looking for a place to watch the game, this is it. Live music on weekends and a great outdoor deck make this a local favorite. The menu is made up of pub food, but the best pub food around; huge specialty burgers, amazing wings with many flavors, and fish tacos are some of our faves.

Yes, sushi, and really good sushi. They bring in fresh seafood to Atlanta then drive it up daily. The Thai cuisine is authentic and very flavorful. Nice bar and a nice selection of Asian inspired cocktails. Not what you'd expect to fine i Helen, but definitely a great spot for a memorable dining experience.

This hidden gem may be the best German/Czech cuisine this side of the Atlantic. Chef Zdenek Muller specializes in traditional German and Czech cuisine and the fried cheese is insanely good. Cozy, friendly, and family run, if you are looking for great German fare on your visit to Alpine Helen, look no further. Free parking available (tell parking attendant you are dining at Mullers).